My Thoughts - Amish Witness to Murder (Amish Country Justice, 18) Written by Dana R. Lynn

 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

To identify her father’s killer…

she must stay alive

After finding her family’s barn in flames and witnessing her father’s murder, Beth Troyer becomes the killer’s next target. She narrowly escapes death when the murderer turns on her, but now she’s left temporarily blind. She’ll have to rely on former family friend Gideon Bender to keep her safe until her eyesight returns. But with a killer who’ll stop at nothing to find her, staying alive might just be impossible…

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Amish Country Justice

Book 1: Plain Target
Book 2: Plain Retribution
Book 3: Amish Christmas Abduction
Book 4: Amish Country Ambush
Book 5: Amish Christmas Emergency
Book 6: Guarding the Amish Midwife
Book 7: Hidden in Amish Country
Book 8: Plain Refuge
Book 9: Deadly Amish Reunion
Book 10: Amish Country Threats
Book 11: Covert Amish Investigation
Book 12: Amish Christmas Escape
Book 13: Amish Cradle Conspiracy
Book 14: Her Secret Amish Past
Book 15: Crime Scene Witness
Book 16: Hidden Amish Target
Book 17: Hunted at Christmas
Book 18: Amish Witness to Murder
Book 19: Protecting the Amish Child

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Dana R. Lynn believes the pow­er of God can tran­scend any cir­cum­stance. She is a best-sell­ing, award win­ning author who views her writ­ing as a min­istry to show His love can bring heal­ing and peace. She writes roman­tic sus­pense for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Sus­pense line. She has been on Publisher’s Week­ly Best­seller lists twice, and her 2017 title Plain Tar­get won both the first place for her cat­e­go­ry and the over­all Grand Prize win­ner in the New Eng­land Reader’s Choice Awards. Dana is a mem­ber of RWA (Romance Writ­ers of Amer­i­ca), ACFW (Amer­i­can Chris­t­ian Fic­tion Writ­ers and Sis­ters in Crime. She is rep­re­sent­ed by Tamela Han­cock Mur­ray of the Steve Laube Lit­er­ary Agency. In 1996, Dana met her hus­band at a wed­ding and told her par­ents she’d met the man she was going to mar­ry. Nine­teen months lat­er, they were mar­ried. Today, they live in rur­al north­west­ern Penn­syl­va­nia with enough ani­mals to start a pet­ting zoo. In addi­tion to writ­ing, she works as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hear­ing and works in sev­er­al min­istries in her church.

My Thoughts

Amish Witness to Murder is book 18 in the Amish Country Justice Series that is written by Dana R. Lynn. Gideon Bender finally gets his own story. I have been waiting for his story. The author has really hit it out of the park with this story. Readers have gotten to know the Bender family through previous stories. 

Beth and her sister, Miriam were raised by their father after their mother died. Beth still lives at home and is running late one day to meet her father for lunch. She sees smoke coming from the road she lives on and says a silent prayer. 

Gideon had his heart broken by Beth's sister, Miriam. She ran off to the English world. He is a volunteer fire fighter and he is called to the scene of a fire at an Amish Household. He soon discovers that it is the Troyer household. He is checking the scene out, and he stumbles across Beth badly hurt. 

It becomes clear that Beth stumbled across something she was not supposed to. She has a target on her back, and Gideon needs to put aside his feelings and protect her. 

This book is packed full of action and suspense. You will want to keep turning pages to find out what happens next. Who would want to hurt an Amish man? I loved all the heart pounding action in this story. 

The author has done an amazing job with Gideon's story. This is one that I was waiting on. The book is well written, the storyline is engaging. 

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 

My Thoughts - Forgotten Secret: A Psychological Suspense Thriller Author: S.F. Baumgartner

 

Forgotten Secret Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: Forgotten Secret: A Psychological Suspense Thriller

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Christian Suspense, Thriller

Release date: January 8, 2024

For two decades, forty-four-year-old magazine writer Clara Khoury has lived with missing pieces of herself—her memory. When the recent discovery of a young woman’s remains triggers her, she’s compelled to investigate. Now, her disturbing past threatens her contented present, someone frames her husband, and their daughter is abducted. If she can’t uncover the truth, she might lose everyone she loves.

Locked within Clara’s shattered mind are the keys to crimes past and present. Can she recover the forgotten secret before losing her family?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

S.F. Baumgartner is a Christian suspense thriller author. She graduated from the University of Hawaii and the University of Cincinnati. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her cats, staying active, and binge-watching crime TV shows. She lives in Ohio with her family

 

 

 

 

More from S.F.

Why I Wrote “Forgotten Secret”: The Continuation of a Thrilling Journey

Writing a sequel can be a daunting task, especially after a book like “Living Secrets” leaves readers hanging on the edge of their seats. But when your mind is brimming with ideas and the story just won’t let you go, you have to give in and write the next chapter. That’s precisely what happened with “Forgotten Secret,” the second book in the Mirror Estate series.

After penning “Buried Secrets” and “Living Secrets,” I found myself immersed in a world of untold stories and unresolved mysteries. “Living Secrets” ended with what some called a cliffhanger – a term I might softly contest – but undoubtedly, it set the stage for a compelling follow-up. I knew I had to deliver on that tease, and the journey to “Forgotten Secret” began.

The seed for this story was planted in a bonus scene of the prequel, hinting at a character’s disappearance. I had a rough outline: a disappearance, an aunt’s involvement, and a human trafficking angle. However, the real story was still elusive, waiting for that spark of inspiration to ignite it.

And then, as fate would have it, I stumbled upon something about amnesia. Suddenly, the plot began to take shape, transforming these disjointed ideas into a coherent, thrilling narrative. This serendipitous moment was a reminder of how stories can evolve from the most unexpected sources.

Writing “Forgotten Secret” was an adventure in itself. Scenarios would pop into my mind unbidden, each vying for a place in the story. Some made the cut, while others were set aside, perhaps to be revisited in future works. The suspense thriller genre doesn’t traditionally lend itself to “fun” in the conventional sense – it’s all about tension, suspense, and that edge-of-your-seat feeling. But that’s exactly the kind of excitement I wanted to capture in this book.

I’ve always been intrigued by the unpredictability of the thriller genre. As an author, you’re constantly walking a tightrope between revealing too much and not enough, all while maintaining that relentless pace that keeps readers turning pages. It’s a challenge, but one that I find incredibly rewarding.

In “Forgotten Secret,” I’ve tried to create a roller-coaster of emotions and plot twists. I want readers to experience that heady mix of anticipation, shock, and satisfaction as they journey through the book. My hope is that they find themselves fully immersed in the story, living through each revelation and cliffhanger as intensely as I did while writing them.

Thank you for joining me on this thrilling ride. I hope “Forgotten Secret” keeps you guessing, leaves you breathless, and, above all, lives up to the secrets it promises to unveil.

My Thoughts 

Forgotten Secret is a  Psychological Suspense Thriller that is written by S.F. Baumgartner.  This is book two in the Mirror Estate series. I’ve recently discovered this author and I love how she draws you in within the first few pages.  

Clara is a magazine writer. She has had a tumultuous past a lot of it she has blocked out and does not remember. However, she is triggered when a young woman’s remains are found, and she wants to investigate to try to get to the bottom of it. Suddenly, she stands to lose everything, her husband is framed. Her daughter is taken, and she needs to sort the jumble out in her mind to try to solve everything.

The book will draw you in within the first few pages. The author has packed the book full of action suspense that you will want to keep turning pages to find out what happens next. While this is part of a series, I would definitely recommend reading book one so that way you could capture the entire Storyline. 

The story is well written. The characters are real feeling. I cannot wait until the next book in the series.

Thank You to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book all thoughts on my own.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 15

Texas Book-aholic, May 16

Stories By Gina, May 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Betti Mace, May 20

Lily’s Corner, May 21

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 22 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, May 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 24

For Him and My Family, May 25

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 26 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, May 26

An Author’s Take, May 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b7cb/forgotten-secret-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts- Hunting Justice Written by: Sami Abrams

 

Series: Elite Guardians: Savannah #2
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A dark secret puts them in the crosshairs of a relentless killer…

Ex-detective and current Elite Guardian Noelle Burton survived a horrifying attack by a serial killer as a child. Now, determined to put the scars of her past behind her, she’s intent on helping the Elite Guardians set up shop in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. More, she’s wondering if her friendship with Dr. Jonah Harris, an ex-ER doctor turned medical examiner, might be more. But he has his own demons to fight—namely guilt over the death of his wife.

So, maybe not.

Meanwhile, Jonah can’t ignore the growing desire he feels for Noelle. If only he knew he wasn’t going to destroy their friendship…

And then, tragedy strikes—the sudden death of a colleague rocks his world, and Jonah knows that there’s more to the incident than meets the eye. In fact, he may have been the intended target. Now he needs Noelle…not just as a friend, but as a protector.

Noelle will have to protect Jonah, while not letting their friendship spark into something more, and Jonah will have to unravel the threat that stalks him. Clues lead them down a dark path, revealing unsettling connections to a series of unsolved crimes. And when they stumble upon the chilling possibility of a serial killer lurking in the shadows, all Noelle’s nightmares come back to life.

Then the unthinkable occurs—the killer strikes again, targeting someone close to them. Noelle and Jonah race against time to expose the truth and capture the killer…and when their friendship becomes something deeper, it’s clear they have everything to lose.

Don’t miss this gripping story of resilience, trust, and the power of love in the exhilarating second book of the Elite Guardians: Savannah

About the Author

Award-winning, bestselling author Sami Abrams grew up hating to read. It wasn’t until her 30’s that she found authors that captured her attention. Now, most evenings, you can find her engrossed in a Romantic Suspense. In her opinion, a crime and a little romance is the recipe for a great story.

She lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list.

My Thoughts 

Hunting Justice is book two in the Elite Guardians: Savannah series. This one is written by Sami Abrams. The books can be read as standalones, however the series really is an action packed series.  I’ve been fortunate enough to read everything that this author has written and I’ve always loved all of her work.  This book is my favorite.  

Noelle survived being kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer that was never caught. She threw herself into a law enforcement career and now works with the Elite Guardians.  She had a murder wall in her home.  Dedicated to herself and the victims that did not survive. She keeps her pain deep down and has never really told anyone about her time in captivity.  

Until she meets Jonah.  A widowed ER doctor turned medical examiner.  Over the last year he has forged a friendship with Noelle.  He still feels a lot of guilt for the death of his ex-wife. One day, his mentor and boss, Ken, comes to him and admits to falsifying autopsy reports. He wants to discuss things with Jonah, but when Jonah arrives at Ken’s home suddenly it blows up. It doesn’t take long to find out that someone is making sure that his secrets are staying hidden.

Jonah depends on Noelle and her Elite  guardians team for around the clock protection. It becomes clear that the killer will not stop until Jonah is eliminated. Why falsify autopsy reports Jonah and Noelle determined to figure that out.  

In the meantime, they both have to work through some of their past and baggage to be able to put the pieces together to solve the puzzle. I really liked their chemistry together. The author did a great job and pairing their personalities.

Action packed, full of heart, pounding suspense, and lots of twist and turns will keep you on the edge of the seat with this book. This has to have been my most favorite book by this author. I have enjoyed the elite guardians series and was excited to see the Savannah Branch, open up. 

The author, publisher, and  JustRead  tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts on my own.

My Thoughts Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way Author: Linda Kozar

 

About the Book

Book: Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way

Author: Linda Kozar

Genre: Devotional Book, Nonfiction

Release date: April 2, 2024

A perfect start to a joyful heart.

Good things from God can calm the soul and fill you with confidence. In Gimme Some Sugar, award-winning author Linda Kozar brings her southern wit and wisdom to sweeten your life with spiritual nourishment to ponder, perspective to pray about, and a touch of joy to put a smile on your face. This 90-day devotional will encourage you to set your heart and mind on God’s Word while having fun along the way. Each devotion includes

• an engaging saying,
• inspiring insights from Scripture,
• practical advice for daily life, and
• a sprinkle of homespun humor.

Brighten your day with a spoonful of biblical encouragement and reminders of God’s enduring love, hope, and peace.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Linda Kozar is an award-winning multi-published author of traditional and indie-published fiction and nonfiction books with a Southern flair. Linda and her husband Michael live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, their wonderful son-in-law, two grands Eden and Wesley, and Gypsy their rascally Jack Russell Terrier.

 

 

 

 

More from Linda

The Southern life is simple, savory food, sweet tea, and family. Whether you have a twang or a drawl, or nothing at all, if you’re Southern at heart these devotions will perk you up, give you a scriptural truth to ponder, and a spoonful of inspiration to sweeten your day.

—Linda Kozar, Author of Gimme Some Sugar

Good Gracious! Company’s Coming Cheese Straws

Ingredients:

1 pound (4 cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (gotta be sharp!)

1 cup salted butter (yes to salted)

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

4 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon black pepper (or white if preferred)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone sheets. Break out your box grater and go to town grating that sharp cheddar cheese on the fine side of the grater. When finished, (usually when your arm starts to hurt), cover and let it come to room temperature.

Add the butter and cheese to a stand mixer bowl and paddle beat for about ten minutes until creamed together.

Add salt, flour, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper l and mix on medium speed until fully combined.

Transfer dough to a cookie press fitted with a star tip (if you want your straws to look fancy). Or you can hand-roll long thin strips and cut into uniform lengths (about 3 inches) with a knife.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly-browned. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

My Thoughts

Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way

Is written by Linda Kozar.  I really enjoyed this devotion. I love to bake and I was excited to get the “spoonfuls” of devotions daily. 

The devotions all include: an engaging saying,inspiring insights from Scripture, practical advice for daily life, and a  sprinkle of homespun humor.  I thought each theme tied together nicely. I loved that each devotion should take about 5 minutes. This is perfect for a bedtime table or at work when you’re feeling stressed. 

The author organized her thoughts wonderfully. She also backed everything up biblically. The theme flowed nicely. I hope she releases more devotions. 

Thank you the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Its Mama Safe, May 2

She Lives To Read, May 3

Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Artistic Nobody, May 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 7

By The Book, May 8 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 9

Texas Book-aholic, May 10

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 11 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, May 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 13 

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b581/gimme-some-sugar-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts - Courting an Amish Bishop Author: Mindy Steele

 

About the Book

Book: Courting an Amish Bishop

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: April, 2024

No One Is Ever Too Old to Love Again

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Simon Graber became a widower and a bishop early in life. His focus is solely on his very close-knit Old Order Amish community—not entertaining the idea of marriage, despite what many of the elders think. When sickness comes to Cherry Grove, Kentucky, Simon reaches out into the next community for help. But help is beginning to look a lot like a second chance when Stella Schmucker agrees to offer her vast herbal knowledge to the sick. Can it be that these two, who have been too busy serving others to entertain the idea of love, have met at just the perfect time for an unlikely courtship?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.

 

 

 

 

 

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story with Mindy Steele

Courting an Amish Bishop

Sometimes the smallest detail can spark the greatest story.  It can be a laugh, a flower petal, or even a cup of tea. I have always been drawn to little details and there are times when I felt God tapping on my shoulder, saying pay attention to this. So from a brief chat or set of bones found on a wooded path, stories have taken root.

For this story, it was a cup of elderberry tea late one evening that sent my thoughts to wander. I grew up on the edge of Appalachia and had learned a few herbal remedies to quickly ward off the flu or stop poison ivy before the first itch. As an Amish fiction writer, I wondered if the Amish resorted to the same such natural ways. I knew my neighbors used charcoal internally at times, as well as stockpiling burdock leaves to dry in their attic for burns and wounds, but I wanted to know more.

There is a strong belief among many that the Amish refuse modern medicine. This is simply not true. Most prefer modern medicine as a last resort. Though I once had an Amish neighbor who’d run to the doctor quite often for the least little thing.

Coincidentally, I had gone on to a summer book tour in southern Kentucky, and crossed paths with an Amish healer. She was a remarkable woman, full of wisdom and information. I have also been blessed to have Doc Sam, an Amish man, living just down the road, as well as a few Amish women willing to share their thoughts with me.

Healers have a vast knowledge that is not limited to just one thing. An Amish midwife is often sought after for more than when a child is ready to be welcomed into the world. A chiropractor, or muscle stretcher as they are called since no degree has been obtained, can tell you the best remedy for burns, womanly issues, or how to detox your liver.

Stella Schmucker was my most interesting character to write.  As a woman who needed healing in her own life, it was by God’s grace she became one. As I got to know her, I knew a Bishop had to play a major part in her journey. We often think of men in such positions as stern, authoritarian, and well…old. But a man may draw the lot at as young as 30 if he has already held a position of a deacon or minister. I have seldom read a story where the bishop isn’t stern and always reminding us to follow the rules, but what we don’t see is the man under the hat! Simon reveals an outer and inner man, one struggling with loss, yet faithful in helping others. I have been waiting to write a Bishop’s story for some time, and once Stella’s life was laid out in front in me, the match was made.

I hope you enjoy this story and getting to know Ellie, my silver lab Stella borrows to entertain you. Who knows, you might even learn a few herbal remedies too.

Many blessings and good health,

Mindy

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 27

lakesidelivingsite, April 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 29

She Lives To Read, April 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 3

For Him and My Family, May 4

Cover Lover Book Review, May 5

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 6 (Author Interview)

Mornings at Character Cafe, May 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 7

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 8

Holly’s Book Corner, May 9

Mary Hake, May 9

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize package a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b147/courting-an-amish-bishop-celebration-tour-giveaway